Uproar: Calm Leadership in Anxious Times

by Peter L. Steinke

If “these are the times that test men’s souls,” never more than for the leader’s ability to think clearly, to be present calmly, and to challenge effectively. It’s a time when leaders cannot be as anxious as those they serve; otherwise, the system is leaderless. Anxiety flows down like water from a leaky pipe. To lead effectively we must understand the impact of powerful emotional forces on people’s behavior, especially in anxious times.

Uproar: Calm Leadership in Anxious Times helps leaders understand the powerful impact that emotional processes have on the people they lead. Peter Steinke, bestselling author of CongregationalLeadership in Anxious Times draws on decades of work on system conflict and personal experiences to share real stories of challenges leaders have faced and how understanding the power of emotions has dramatically influenced their success. In this book, readers will observe important leadership characteristics such as separating oneself from the surrounding anxiety, making decisions based on principle and not instinct, taking responsibility for one’s own emotional being, staying connected to others including those who disagree with you, being a non-anxious presence, focusing on emotional processes rather than the symptoms they produce, knowing people naturally influence one another, and recognizing leader and follower as complements. At the end of each chapter, there is a Leader’s Notebook, a short section to illustrate, enrich or engage your thinking about leadership. As Steinke suggests, being anxious causes you to lose perspective, and leaders do their best thinking when they are not overly stressed and can think about options, doing their best work when they work on themselves. So where are you in your leadership journey? No matter where you are—beginning, middle or end— this book will be one the most significant leadership books you’ll read.

Genres: Leadership, Nonfiction, Church

176 pages, Paperback

Published February 13, 2019

Reviews

[Brian Virtue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the book, but a lot of repackaging of previous books in the contemporary landscape and political climate. If you've not read Steinke or others in the same vein, this could be a revelation to you. If you have read previous works, you'll probably enjoy it but be a bit disappointed in how much was repackaged concepts. There is a lot more research related to neuroscience and human behavior and more specific discussions about how the concepts impact treatment toward "the other."

[Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a rambling, mostly incoherent diatribe against society, with a few insightful bits thrown in.

[Roy Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peter Steinke is a clear-eyed, skilled consultant whose insights have stood the test of time. Other
than Edwin Friedman, Steinke, a Lutheran pastor who studied with Friedman, is perhaps the most
well-known of all practitioners of family systems theory. They both were students of Murray Bowen
who generated a theory of human behavior grounded in biology. It became known as family systems
theory. Bowen “asserts that the emotional system (biology) is elemental to the whole human
enterprise.” In this work, Steinke gives a concise overview of the core aspects of the theory as well
as the ways in which Friedman interprets it. Few will question his assertion that we are living in a
time of enormous upheaval with soaring levels of anxiety.

Uproar is the term and the consequence is
massive disturbance. Leaders must learn the critical skills to navigate their roles within communities
that are experiencing deep emotional disequilibrium. What may be more important, especially for
readers familiar with family systems theory, is not to forget the skills once learned when you are
“dancing in a hurricane.”

The book provides examples from church and business, along with a Leaders Notebook, which functions nicely as a checklist of core skills necessary for leadership in
Uproar. The familiar themes are all addressed: self-differetiation, adaptive versus technical change, calm in the chaos, courage to lead. This may not be new but it is a good reminder and a primer for leaders who want to keep their skills sharp, and minds calm. Perfect for group study

[Cary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uproar paints an accurate picture of the chaos our world is experiencing at both the macro and micro level. Few can put into words the insanity we are currently enduring as a society. Fewer still can provide a plan for leaders (and even the person who is not a leader) to respond accordingly, passionately and calmly. Peter L. Steinke does a good job of explaining how one can keep their cool and lead at the same time. Some of the illustrations used to explain points can be technical, but overall this book provides good counsel for leaders going through uproar.

[Judith Conley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been the book that makes the most sense to me on how to survive & lead in anxious times. If only this theory could be presented to the general public, but until then, it's up to each one of us to work towards understanding and solving life's stumbling blocks with calm, principled, responsive (not reactive) thinking.

[Jennifer L. Lazzuri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read for today

Quick, insightful, good primer overview on differences of how leaders lead using Bowen theory as opposed to today’s thinking of leadership. Good leadership book club read.

[Devin Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book. Very disappointing that five of the chapters are just edited chapters from Steinke’s book “Congregational Leadership in Anxious Times.” That book happens to be my favorite book on church leadership so I guess I’m not complaining. Just annoyed that an author would do that.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not as good as Steinke's other works, imo. Its rehashed and less clear. Some of the illustrations are repeated from earlier publications and it shows as they look very dated for a 2019 book. Its ok, but I'd suggest reading his other work.

[Evelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gives lots of practical suggestions for leaders who are experiencing difficult times. The leader's notebook at the end of each chapter is especially helpful.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was assigned for a leadership class seemed like very solid advice. I appreciated the medical analogies

[Savannah Shepherd · Rating 4 out of 5]

very accessible and practical way of looking at systems and how we can interact with them well.

[Justindean · Rating 2 out of 5]

Friedmans book is more potent and to the point. The author used examples that sounded more like liberal talking points about “assault weapons” that revealed he didn’t know what he was talking about.

[Shannon Marie Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had this as required reading for a class. It's part philosophy, a bit of neuroscience, and a bit of lived experience and opinion. I didn't share all of his opinions.

[Tim Littleford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really concise and accessible entry into the concepts of Bowen Family Systems Theory and Friedman's work on it.

[Jeffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought provoking and insightful book on leadership today.

Not a quick read, but one worth taking time to explore and go back and reread.

[Jon Crantz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read, not just for leaders. A short wisdom packed book on life as an emotional healthy, calm, mature person.

[Lisa Lewton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite Steinke book.

[Jack W. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Several interesting observations about human conflict hopelessly mired in the author's narcissism, a topic he, ironically, has very strong feelings about.

[Jess Herm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Need to read 5 more times

[Abigail Kopp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting content that shed light to how I perceive the world and the systems it is made by.

[Wendy Ledger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned a lot from this book. I thought it had valuable information for me to reflect upon in my interactions and in understanding our current culture.